Evolution of spatiotemporal patterns during the electrodissolution of metals: Experiments and simulations

Spatiotemporal patterns including accelerating fronts, rotating waves, and homogeneous oscillations evolve during the electrodissolution of metals like cobalt and iron that exhibit passivity under potentiostatic control. The nature of the patterns is determined by long-range (nonlocal) coupling through the electric field which in turn is influenced by the geometry of the electrochemical cell, the applied potential, and the conductivity of the electrolyte. A two-variable model in a three-dimensional geometry is presented which is able to simulate the essential features of the experimental system.(c) 2002 American Institute of Physics.